2803
After we have placed ourselves in the presence of God our Father to adore and
to love and to bless him, the Spirit of adoption stirs up in our hearts seven
petitions, seven blessings. the first three, more theological, draw us toward
the glory of the Father; the last four, as ways toward him, commend our
wretchedness to his grace. "Deep calls to deep."63

2804
The first series of petitions carries us toward him, for his own sake: thy
name, thy kingdom, thy will! It is characteristic of love to think first of the
one whom we love. In none of the three petitions do we mention ourselves; the
burning desire, even anguish, of the beloved Son for his Father's glory seizes
us:64 "hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be
done...." These three supplications were already answered in the saving
sacrifice of Christ, but they are henceforth directed in hope toward their
final fulfillment, for God is not yet all in all.65

2805
The second series of petitions unfolds with the same movement as certain
Eucharistic epicleses: as an offering up of our expectations, that draws down
upon itself the eyes of the Father of mercies. They go up from us and concern
us from this very moment, in our present world: "give us . . . forgive us
. . . lead us not ... deliver us...." the fourth and fifth petitions
concern our life as such - to be fed and to be healed of sin; the last two
concern our battle for the victory of life - that battle of prayer.

2806
By the three first petitions, we are strengthened in faith, filled with hope,
and set aflame by charity. Being creatures and still sinners, we have to
petition for us, for that "us" bound by the world and history, which
we offer to the boundless love of God. For through the name of his Christ and
the reign of his Holy Spirit, our Father accomplishes his plan of salvation,
for us and for the whole world.